Why Getting An ADHD Diagnosis Could Be More Risky Than You Think

Getting an ADHD Diagnosis

A diagnosis of ADHD can alter your life. It is the reason why some people struggle with staying in control, following directions or staying focused.

Ask your family physician or therapist to refer you to an expert. Contact your insurance provider to determine if it covers ADHD evaluations for adults.

Diagnosis Process

For adults, a correct diagnosis requires an evaluation by a psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse. These are the only healthcare experts who can diagnose ADHD in adults.

Often, an initial assessment will begin with a detailed interview about your life and symptoms. The healthcare professional will be looking to determine the length of time your symptoms have been present and how they impact you. They might suggest that you speak with a close friend or family member about your symptoms.

The process of evaluation will also involve questions about your childhood.  how to get an adult adhd diagnosis  allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without proving that the disorder existed in childhood. Therefore the healthcare professional will want to examine your school records and speak to those who knew you as in your early years. They may also inquire whether you've ever experienced any mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression.

In some instances an evaluator could suggest cognitive tests, such as IQ testing or assessments for learning or memory problems. They may also recommend other types of medical exams to rule out physical ailments that could be creating your symptoms, for instance thyroid disorders or seizure problems.

If your healthcare provider is convinced that your symptoms are related to ADHD, they will recommend additional tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine its severity. These tests may include blood and urine tests, a medical examination and, possibly, educational or psychological testing.

Tests will be used to measure levels of certain chemicals that are associated with ADHD in your body, like dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. They will also examine your heart rate and blood pressure. You may also be given an spirometry test, which measures lung capacity. They may also recommend an imaging scan of your brain to check for any structural or functional abnormalities. In certain instances your evaluator may suggest that you or your child be examined for any conditions that have similar symptoms to ADHD, like anxiety and depression or mood and personality disorders.

The Interview

There are plenty of ADHD tests and questionnaires that can act as a screening instrument before you schedule an appointment with a physician. These tests may help you recognize that you suffer from ADHD However, a doctor's clinical interview is the only way to confirm the diagnosis.

The process can take between 2 to 3 hours. It involves explaining to the patient about ADHD and its possible effects on their symptoms. It could also involve the doctor seeking out a history of depression or substance abuse because these issues can co-occur with ADHD.

A good diagnostic interview will involve a discussion of the patient's symptoms and their impact, and the psychologist or psychiatrist will use a checklist designed to evaluate hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattentiveness. Additionally, the doctor will want to review school records and talk to teachers. If the patient is an older adult, they could also interview a spouse or family member. The personal perspective of a person can provide information that cannot be gleaned through questionnaires.

Some doctors rush through this procedure or insist on only seeing a patient once instead of conducting a thorough examination. This can lead to a doctor making a wrong diagnosis. This is a red flag when the doctor is too rigid in their criteria to diagnose ADHD.

For adults, the evaluator could request that the patient complete ratings for each symptom on an ADHD checklist and provide examples of how the symptoms have affected their lives. The assessor will then compare the scores against the checklist and evaluate the severity of ADHD.

It's often a relief for some adults to be given an ADHD diagnosis. The deep-seated emotions, such as guilt or grief for not meeting expectations or the fact that the disorder was not recognized until later in the life, can be a bit complicated. The inattention and impulsivity that are typical of ADHD can have a significant impact in many areas of an individual's life, such as relationships, work, and health.

The Tests

It can be difficult and confusing to get an ADHD diagnosis. It involves a lot of paperwork, interviews and tests. It is possible to prepare by obtaining advice from trusted doctors or family members, as well as friends. You should also research the physician and their professional credentials to ensure they are a good fit for your needs. It is important to find a specialist who is skilled in diagnosing ADHD. This is to ensure you or your child gets an accurate assessment and the most effective treatment.

The first step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with the evaluator. The evaluator will ask you or your child questions to find out more about your symptoms. The evaluator would like to know how your symptoms affect your life and if they interfere with school, work or relationships. The evaluator might also employ rating scales that measure your ADHD symptoms. They typically consist of checklists that ask you or someone close to you to answer a series of questions. You may be asked if you frequently forget appointments or how often you interrupt others.

Many evaluators will also request those who know you or your child well to complete questionnaires based on their observations of your behavior. Adults may be asked to complete questionnaires by their spouses, children, or parents. Children might be required to complete questionnaires from coaches, teachers daycare workers, coaches or nannies. Personal insight can reveal facts that cannot be gleaned from a questionnaire.

The evaluators can also perform cognitive testing to see if learning or intellectual disabilities are contributing to your symptoms. They may also test for mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder and incipient psychosis, or substance abuse. They could also test for underlying medical conditions such as hypothyroidism and seizures.

Certain evaluators might offer you or your children an ADHD screening test to gauge how you respond both to stimuli that are targeted and non-target. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computer-based test cleared by the FDA that tests your ability to pay attention and remember a number of geometric shapes. The examiner will look at how often you respond non-target stimuli, and how long it takes you to respond to target stimuli. This can help evaluators determine which type of ADHD you are: inattentive or impulsive.

Follow-up

A variety of mental health professionals can provide ADHD evaluations and make an assessment. This could be a psychologist or psychiatrist or a psychotherapist or neurologist. The doctor will want to be aware of your concerns and how long they have been occurring. The specialist will also ask if there any family history of ADHD. It is thought that the disorder is about 70%-80 percent hereditary and that genes are a major factor in determining whether you or your child will have symptoms.

He will inquire about how ADHD affects you or your child at home, at school, and work. He will ask about your your child's behavior across various settings, because the symptoms of ADHD differ when they are present in different settings. To be diagnosed with ADHD you or your child need to have six or more symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention or impulsivity that interferes with the daily activities. It must last for at minimum six months.

To determine the correct diagnosis, the doctor must rule out other conditions out. Other psychiatric disorders, such as mood and anxiety disorders and intellectual disabilities might be considered. Certain medical conditions that affect brain function, like thyroid problems, can be considered. The doctor will also inquire about your child's or your own sleep habits and any accidents or injuries in the past that may have impacted your child's or your own brain development.

He will also look into whether your or your child's ADHD symptoms are connected to any other health condition or medications that you or your child are taking. Side effects of stimulant medications like those used to treat ADHD, can include stomachaches and difficulty sleeping. Other drugs, such as antidepressants and some sleep medicines, can also have these side effects.

The specialist will also need to determine if there's a comorbidity. This means that you or your child may have another condition that could cause symptoms of ADHD. This could include bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will review all of the information and make an assessment.